In Self-Defence

In Self-Defence

Gordon Thomson (fl. 1864-1886), Artist

The Dalziel Brothers, engravers

Fun (19 July 1882): 25

The cartoon quotes from G. W. Hunt’s enormously popular Macdermott's War Song (1877. Gilbert Hastings MacDermott (1845-1901), the son of Irish working-class parents, became one of the biggest stars of the music halls, and was billed as the "Great Macdermott." His enthusiastic singing of this song resulted in the word "jingoism" being added to the English language. — Derek Scott

Courtesy of the Suzy Covey Comic Book Collection in the George A. Smathers Libraries, University of Florida.

  • The text of Macdermott's War Song
  • The poem accompanying In Self-Defence
  • Click on image to enlarge it

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